The main consideration with location is to pick a spot that is clear of scrub brush and elevated so that you have the night sky nice and bright behind you. Aside from picking a spot that lets the stars stand out, it’s also important to select a location that doesn’t have light pollution from cars/houses/etc.

Yes! I love doing family photoshoots in Big Bend. Just keep in mind that to get the best/sharpest photos requires the ability to stay still for 2-4 seconds at a time, so you’ll want to practice or prep your kiddos so that they know what to expect for the session. When picking a location, I can make sure to suggest options that are easily accessible and don’t require rock scrambling or hiking.

Sometimes the weather doesn’t work in our favor and we get stuck with cloudy skies or a sky washed out with moonlight. In these situations, we can lean on creative lighting to get some cool night photos using string lights, a campfire, lanterns, or even car head lights!

Astrophotography sessions flow a lot differently than a typical portrait session. They typically move a lot slower— setting up the shot takes more time and then with exposures that last four seconds or so, you’re often having to focus on staying as still as possible during that time!

Don’t be intimidated though — I’ll walk you through exactly what to expect and how to get the best photos before your shoot!

Light props can bring some extra spice to your photos and switch up the style! Once you book your session, I’ll send over my Astrophotography Session Guide with a list of ideas for props and creative lights we could include in the session. Aside from various light props, during the colder months I’d recommend bringing handwarmers to keep you comfy. And at all times of the year, I’d recommend bringing headlamps or your phone to help light the path while walking to the photo location!